Tag: Wayzata Community Church

Wayzata Churches Using Caution When Considering Reopening

May 27th, 2020

Faith-based communities and places of worship can now resume hosting larger gatherings.

This comes after an announcement last week by Gov. Tim Walz.

The new guidance allows occupancy not to exceed 25 percentwith a maximum of 250 people in a single, self-contained space. In outdoorsettings, gatherings must not exceed 250 people.

This guidance, released on May 23 updates what the Governor released on May 20 in which churches were still limited to no more than 10 people.

This was immediately met with opposition by Senate Republicans.

That’s the back story.

What does this mean moving forward and what does this mean for places of worship in Wayzata?

Unitarian Universalist Church of Minnetonka

“Like many faith communities, UUCM has been closed for in-person gathering since mid-March,” said Arif Mamdani, a member of the interim ministry team at Unitarian Universalist Church of Minnetonka. “Since that time, we have moved all of our worship and faith formation programming online, and plan to stay with this plan for the foreseeable future.”

Wayzata Community Church

“We are following guidelines provided by local, state, and federal authorities as we make plans to reopen our building to staff and church programs of less than 10 people,” said Reverend Dr. John F. Ross of Wayzata Community Church. “We will continue with online worship only for the foreseeable future.”

Redeemer Lutheran Church

“As a Christian congregation, we are called to be good citizens of our state and country,” said Redeemer Lutheran Church Pastor Steve Ferber. “But above everything, we are also called to obey God and His Word. Exactly how that will work itself out in the coming days and weeks, we don’t know yet. We are prayerfully considering our options.”

St. Bartholomew Catholic Faith Community

Meanwhile, a message from Fr. Mike Van Sloun of St. Bartholomew Catholic Faith Community on May 22 stated the following:

Our Logistics Team has determined that the earliest possible date for St. Bart’s would be Sunday, June 7. Our lay leaders, our trustees as well as our Pastoral and Finance Council members, a number who are medical professionals, advise abundant caution and to proceed slowly, particularly since the number of cases has not yet begun to decline, hospital admissions are up, and the danger an extended large-group gathering poses to our parishioners.

All of the Wayzata churches are using caution during the reopening process.

“Like other faith communities, ours includes many who fall into a variety of categories who are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19, and given that we have successfully transitioned to doing church work in physically distanced ways, see no reason to put any of our people at risk,” said Mamdani.
Wayzata Symphony Orchestra performs Sunday May 1, 2016

April 29th, 2016

The Wayzata Symphony Orchestra will perform in concert on Sunday afternoon at 3:00 at the Wayzata Community Church. The concert is free, and will feature Soprano Maria Jette singing selections from Sound of Music.
Wayzata Community Church to honor 9/11 with rally day

August 30th, 2011

September 11, 2011
9/11 Commemorations & Rally Day

Wayzata Community Church
125 Wayzata Blvd E.
Wayzata, MN 55391
952-473-8877

As friends and members of Wayzata Community Church celebrate the homecoming spirit of Rally Day, they will also commemorate the 10th anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks. From dawn to dusk, our faith community will gather to not only remember a tragic day, but also to worship God who makes all things new. Varied worship experiences taken as a whole, will aid us in the restoration of hope, unity, and peace.

Morning Services of Remembrance & Hope

9 and 10:45 a.m. (Identical services in the sanctuary)
Glorious music by our choirs and the Wayzata Symphony Orchestra will create the inspiring backdrop for prayers for peace. Senior Minister Dr. John F. Ross will preach a sermon based on Galatians 5:2 where it is written, “For freedom Christ has set you free!”

Moments of silence will be observed throughout the morning, giving pause at the very times when planes crashed and lives were lost in senseless violence.
8:46 a.m. (American #11); 9:03 a.m. (United #175); 9:37 a.m. (American #77); and 10:03 a.m. (United #93)

Evening Service of Unity and Healing

6:33—Seek First (6:33 p.m. in the sanctuary)
Leaders from the Jewish and Muslim faith communities will join us and participate in our worship in the unique style of 6:33—Seek First. Coming together in unity, we will share prayers of peace from all three Abrahamic traditions.

With Senior Minister Dr. John F. Ross preaching, prayers for peace will be offered from leaders of the Muslim and Jewish faith communities, including Imam Dr. Hamdy El-Sawaf, Board President of the Islamic Community Center of Minnesota, Imam of Masjid Al-Iman (Mosque of Faith), and Rabbi Simeon Glaser, Associate Rabbi at Temple Israel in Minneapolis.

Acknowledging that people from all faiths died that day, we stand together under a banner of unity. The violence of that day in 2001 was about power, not God—our unified response will be one of healing and peace. All are invited to come for candle lighting and communion.
Wayzata Community Church Worship on Wednesday picnic and music schedule

June 24th, 2011

Wayzata Community Church invites you to enjoy a picnic dinner and music at 5:30p.m. for Worship on Wednesday evenings. Enjoy hot dogs and burgers hot off the grill in exchange for a modest fee, and then stick around for the following music events at 6:00 pm.

June 29th: Alison Scott
July 6th: Sara Renner
July 13th: Keri Noble
July 20th: Rick Shaw and The Makeshifts
July 27th: Robert Robinson
August 3rd: Taylor Baggott
August 10th: Harbor Lights Salvation Army Band
John Estrem Day scheduled for June 26, 2011 at Wayzata Community Church

June 15th, 2011

Wayzata Community Church, one of the largest congregations of the United Church of Christ in the U.S., will host a celebration of John Estrem’s 30 years of ministry. John is the long-time Director of Buildings and Grounds and serves as the church’s wedding coordinator. He is active with mission work in Haiti, supporting St. Joseph’s Home for Boys since 1983 when he made his first trip to Haiti.

For 30 years John Estrem has lovingly cared for Wayzata Community Church. “This place changes lives,” he says, “I know, because it changed mine.”

“John Estrem is a true ambassador of grace. “ says WCC Senior Minister John F. Ross. “He exemplifies a spirit of radical hospitality and demonstrates a daily willingness to serve others. In short, for 30 years John Estrem has embodied the command of Jesus to love God…love neighbor…and love oneself. I consider him among the most effective ministers this church has ever known.”

John will be celebrated at all worship services on June 26th and will share his Faith Story at 10:00 a.m. that morning. Join us following the evening service, at 7:30 pm, for music and an ice cream social celebrating John’s 30 years of service to the church.

About Wayzata Community Church

Wayzata Community Church (WCC), located in Wayzata, Minn., has been helping people with their faith journeys for 130 years. Today the church has nearly 3,000 confirmed members, and is among the top five largest congregations of the United Church of Christ in the U.S. Besides worship services, WCC offers Music at Wayzata concert performances, author visits, scouting organizations, support groups, Nursery School, the annual Rummage Sale and other community events.

Controversial author and preacher swears during service, delivers message of no hell

April 12th, 2011

Pastor and author Rob Bell indicated no one will go to hell, swore during the service, and spent time talking with enthusiasts provided they purchased a book.

View the full collection of photos from the event here.

Bestselling author and preacher from Michigan Rob Bell spoke to a full capacity crowd at Wayzata Community Church on Monday evening. The dynamic speaker has made headlines in recent months for indicating that no one will be sent to hell in the afterlife–in direct conflict to many of the teachings of traditional Christianity for the last 2000 years.

Best selling author and minister Rob Bell waits to take the stage. Bell swore during his talk on Monday evening, ending the service by saying the word “shit.” His opening musical act said “ass” and “frickin” as part of the service. Photo by Dan Gustafson.

Bell affirmed that position on Monday evening in front of a packed house, dangling a story of an un-named celebrity who died of AIDS and had his body “restart” after meeting Jesus near a stream in the after life. This unidentified celebrity then notified his Christian friends that he had been allowed the opportunity to return to earth, and had not been sent to hell.

A capacity crowd at Wayzata Community Church. Photo Dan Gustafson.

Book buyers get to interact with author Rob Bell on Monday evening in the lower level of Wayzata Community Church. Photo by Dan Gustafson.

Disciples jotted notes furiously, and asked questions as the unorthodox program was delivered by the dynamic speaker. Bell finished the evening by indicating that he had tried to minister to Sammy Hagar, former rock band Van Halen lead singer. Bell characterized Hagar’s response to his witness as, “You are going to save the world with that shit.” The closing comment brought smiles and laughter from the capacity crowd.

What is your take on swearing in church services by speakers and pastors? Was it done in this instance to garner media attention and buzz? Or is it just part of going to church these days? Use the comment box to give your opinion.

Wayzata Women’s Chorus to Perform Music for Competition in Wales

March 30th, 2011

The Wayzata Women’s Chorus will be presenting its 25th Annual Spring Concert ”DAFFODILS & DRAGONS—ON OUR WAY TO WALES” by featuring the music they will perform at the Llangollen International Music Eisteddfod Competition in Llangollen, Wales to be held July 6-11, 2011. They will compete in the classical and folk categories. Competition selections include “Cherubim Song No. 7” by Dimitri Bortniansky; “Love Is A Rain Of Diamonds” by Gwyneth Walker; “Festival Sanctus” by John Leavitt; “Hark, I Hear The Harps Eternal” arranged by Alice Parker; and, “The Gift To Be Simple” arranged by Bob Chilcott.

The Llangollen International Music Eisteddfod Competition is the premier competition of music, song and dance that includes people from all over the world. The Wayzata Women’s Chorus is extremely honored to be selected as one of four competitors from the United States. The most famous winner of this competition is Luciano Pavarotti who won in 1955—the first year of the competition.

On Saturday, May 14th, the concert will be held at Wayzata Evangelical Free Church, 705 County Road 101 North in Plymouth, MN at 7:00 p.m.

On Sunday, May 15th, there will be a repeat performance of the concert at Faith United Methodist Church, 2708 33rd Avenue NE in St Anthony, MN at 7:00 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

Tickets are $15 for adults; $12 for seniors 65+ and youth 5-17; children under 5 are free. Tickets can be purchased by a member of the WWC; at the door; by calling Carla Erpelding at 612/788-6862; or, by emailing Carla Erpelding at 76josephrae@q.com.

The chorus is directed by Carole Birch and accompanied by Mary Fadden.

Founded in 1986, this award-winning chorus is composed of women of many ages who share a love of music and enjoy performing in a variety of venues. The chorus is well respected for the depth of their repertoire. They attained the Bronze Level at the Salzburg, Austria Choral Competition in 1995 and participated in the North Carolina Music Festival in 1997. In June 2006, they performed in the Southern New England Music Festival in Boston. July, 2011—WALES—HERE WE COME!!

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Author Rob Bell to Appear at Wayzata Community Church

March 22nd, 2011

Wayzata Community Church, one of the largest congregations of the United Church of Christ in the U.S., will host author Rob Bell for a talk and book signing for his recently released book- Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived.

Bestselling author of VELVET ELVIS and the 2 million-plus selling Nooma videos, Rob Bell, faces squarely the question: Does it really make sense that God is a loving, kind, compassionate God who wants to know people in a personal way, but if they reject this relationship with Jesus, they will be sent to hell where God will eternally punish them forever?

In LOVE WINS, Bell goes to the heart of these issues and argues that the church’s traditional understanding of heaven and hell is actually not taught by the Bible. Bell is emphatically not offering a new view of heaven and hell. Instead, Rob looks closely at what the Bible says and discovers that Jesus’ most fundamental teaching about heaven and hell is, “Love Wins.”

Rev. Dr. Allen Hilton, Wayzata Community Church’s teaching minister says: “Rob Bell’s book crosses boundaries, and that’s rare in American Christianity. He sings out the expansive love of God, even when the wide reach of that love violates cardinal beliefs of the evangelicalism from which he comes. His color choice is not limited to either an evangelical or a liberal palette. That frees it to be wholly and polychromatically Christian. I can’t wait to hear Rob talk about the book on April 11!”

About Wayzata Community Church

Wayzata Community Church (WCC), located in Wayzata, Minn., has been helping people with their faith journeys for 130 years. Today the church has nearly 3,000 confirmed members, and is among the top five largest congregations of the United Church of Christ in the U.S. Besides worship services, WCC offers Music at Wayzata concert performances, author visits, scouting organizations, support groups, Nursery School, the annual Rummage Sale and other community events.

If you go:

Rob Bell Speaking Engagement

Monday, April 11
7:00pm, Sanctuary
Doors open at 6:30pm
125 Wayzata Boulevard, Wayzata MN 55391
Wayzata Community Church Brings New Worship Experience to Western Suburbs

February 22nd, 2011
Cross-generational “6:33” Service Begins Sunday, March 13th at 6:33 p.m.

Wayzata Community Church, one of the largest congregations of the United Church of Christ in the U.S., will launch a new worship experience at 6:33 p.m. on March 13th, the first Sunday of Lent. Called “6:33,” the new service derives its name from Matthew 6:33: “Seek first, the kingdom of God.”

Unlike other evening church services that focus their music and message on young adults, the cross-generational 6:33 service is designed for people of all ages and stages. The 6:33 service will create a contemplative environment for worship with piano music, candlelight and communion.

The new Sunday night service is especially designed for:
- Busy individuals and families whose schedule and lifestyle make it difficult to attend church on Sunday mornings
- People who have left other places of worship or have never had a church home
- Those who are drawn to a nontraditional style of worship with a casual tone and atmosphere
“At Wayzata Community Church, we are compelled to reach out to new people, recognizing that the message of Jesus is one of radical inclusivity,” said Rev. Dr. John F. Ross, senior minister at Wayzata Community Church. “Our 6:33 service fulfills this need by providing a unique and relevant Christian worship experience outside of the traditional Sunday morning time slot.”

The 6:33 service offers centering and celebratory worship that doesn’t end a weekend, but rather helps start a new week. Participants are welcome to join other attendees for fellowship at 6:15 p.m. and enter the worship space together at 6:33 p.m. Centered on music, prayer and teaching, the 45-minute service will conclude by 7:15 p.m.

Click here to read more and here to watch a video slideshow about the new 6:33 service.

About Wayzata Community Church

Wayzata Community Church (WCC), located in Wayzata, Minn., has been helping people with their faith journeys for 130 years. Today the church has nearly 3,000 confirmed members, and is among the top five largest congregations of the United Church of Christ in the U.S. Besides worship services, WCC offers Music at Wayzata concert performances, author visits, scouting organizations, support groups, Nursery School, the annual Rummage Sale and other community events.

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Wayzata Community Church gathering to be held June 28

June 23rd, 2009

The Wayzata Community Church will be holding a meeting for anyone who wants to learn more about the church on Sunday, June 28, from 9 to 9:45 a.m. The meeting will be held in the Colonnade and tours will be given.

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